Quinn, Heary sign deals - February 23, 2001
Two members of the Republic of Ireland u18 team which won the European Championship in 1998 have signed new contracts with their respective clubs. Coventry's Barry Quinn and Huddersfield Town's Thomas Heary played alongside the likes of Robbie Keane and Damien Duff in that all-conquering team and both have definitively established themselves as first-team players this season.
Heary, who can play full back or midfield, found himself out in the cold at the McAlpine Stadium at the start of the season until Lou Macari took over as boss. Since then, the Irishman has played twelve games on the trot and his consistency has been rewarded with a two-year extension to his current deal, which was due to expire this summer.
Quinn, who skippered that u18 team and has since gone on to star at u21 and senior levels, had a similarly slow start to the season but has played the last fifteen games in a row in the unfamiliar position of full back.
He stuck his John Hancock on a new contract which will keep him at Highfield Road until 2005 - and manager Gordon Strachan afterwards expressed his delight.
"Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted that Barry has signed a new contract," he said. "The youngsters are showing the way ahead for the club and cannot be disregarded whenever I make my team selection."
Quinn himself said: "I love playing for the club and am very happy with the new contract. I am pleased with my performance so far this year and delighted that I have become a regular member of the first team.